Hello, Siestas! My name is Diane Vaccaro, and I live in Fresno, CA. I’m a pastor’s wife and a mom of 3. I’m honored to share my verse today in a more formal way than usual. Often in our family we talk about how reflecting on scripture is paramount for transforming our hearts. God’s living Word can do more than we could ever imagine if we only give it time to seep into our thoughts and heart for a moment or two… or ten. It’s in those moments of reflection that I’m open and available to consider how the verse applies to my own life and heart. A quick read often leaves me with a short memory of what I’ve read, and a missed opportunity for revelation of who God is and how he loves. Memorization isn’t the goal, but a tool to continue to mediate on the Word, wherever I am, and ponder it, repeating it in my mind and mouth so that it becomes part of me.
Here’s my verse:
Diane – Fresno, CA
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
What I love about this verse is that it brings together God’s attributes as a mighty warrior and as one who delights, even to the point of singing over me. Strength and tenderness. He is a God that can take on my enemies without neglecting the tender and vulnerable places of my heart. And I’ve got an enemy…I don’t know about human ones, but I’m confident that The Enemy is always on the hunt. It is part of being a believer. It’s part of my life in ministry.
As I reflect on this verse I wonder where I’m trying to be the warrior instead of letting God do the fighting. I wonder if I fight fights that aren’t mine, neglecting the ones God has put before me for victory if I’d only fight.
And I wonder if I’ve become so distracted that I miss the singing. Has God been singing over me a melody so sweet while I’ve been straining to hear the world’s approval? I really want to hear the song of God. The world’s song pales in comparison.
One day I was alone in my car and not listening to music (both are seldom). I was praying and pleading and at one point simply asked God, “Do you delight in me?” This verse was pulled from somewhere in my memory as if to say, “Yes, I delight in you. You bring me great joy. I’m singing over you.”
Mighty God, my prayer is that you would set my feet in the direction of my battles, that I would fight with courage and bravery, knowing that you will supply all I need. Show me when I try to fight battles meant for you. I want to duck when your sword comes crashing through, bowing to your will and power. Quiet my heart and soul that I would hear you – hear your direction and your joyful singing over me. I want your song to be the soundtrack of my days.
My prayer is that you, Siesta, will experience the Mighty Warrior and the songs of delight that he sings over you today.
WendyC – Cheyenne, WY.
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:10 NLT
Sherri, Indian Trail, NC
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:17-18 ESV
Karoletha Stone Longview, Texas
God is our strong refuge; he is truly our helper in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1 NET
Leah Haughton, LA
God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at the break of day.
Psalm 46:5 NIV
Jennifer Mosher in Canfield, Ohio
Romans 8:1 NASB Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Amen, Siestas!!!!
Margie, Starks,La
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to, Lord, my ROck and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 HCSB
Dawn, Pampa, TX
I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the Lord.
Psalm 116:17
Julia Posel, Munich, Germany. “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation — the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ — for this will bring much glory and praise to God.” (Philippians 1:9-11 NLT)
Karen. Amarillo, Tx. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17 ESV
Natalie, Houston TX
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV
Stacey DiGrazia, Elgin, Ill.
2 Chronicles 15:7
“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”
Gail Irwin, Thousand Oaks, CA
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:13-15 NIV)
Nikki R., Alexandria, LA, Psalm 20:3 (NIV)
“May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.”
Yates Center, KS
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:5 NKJV
Ephesians 4:17-19 ESV
17. so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith –
that you, being rooted and grounded in love
18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints
what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,
that you may be filled with the fullness of God.
Rochelle Powers, Overland Park, KS ” For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future, and a hope. Jeremiah 29-11 NLT
Margie Snyder, Groveland Florida
Micah 6:8 (NIV)
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Ruth Kitchener, ON
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3 (NIV)
Terri Lundskow – Hughesville, MD
1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV
Let all that you do be done in love.
Lori Smith Little Rock, Arkansas
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3 NIV)
Elizabeth Johnston
Guilin, China
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:11 (ESV(
Beth Belflower
Caddo Mills, Texas
Psalm 1:4-5
4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. ESV
Rebecca
Owasso OK
“The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you.” Psalm 9:9-10 NLT
Lisa Parker, Arkansas
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to GOD. Philippians 4:6(NIV)
Marilyn Gadsden Al
Surely God is my salvation I will trust And not be afraid The Lord is my strength and my song he has Become my salvation.
Is 12:2NIV
Rhonda Feenstra, Rock Hill, SC
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV)
Erin Dougherty, Conway, AR
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139: 23-24 (NIV)
Michelle G. from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
Libby Stafford. Prairieville LA
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:2 NKJV
Brielle Joy from Loma Linda, CA
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NIV)
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the LORD holds his hand. Psalm 37:24 hcsb
Brooke from Sevierville, TN
Jan Morton
Hawkinsville, GA
James 1:19 (Amplified)
Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.
Melanie Anderson, Groesbeck, TX
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4 NIV(1984)
Tracie Nall, Bristow, VA
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
Kathy, Albany, OR
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.
Proverbs 18:22 (ESV)
Ann Thiede, Searcy, Arkansas: Psalm 34:4,5 NIV
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
Delaware Ohio. Romans 12:12. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Niv
Susie McNeely
Russellville, Arkansas
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. (Psalm 42:1 NIV)
Janet Bell
Pinson, AL
Rejoice always
Pray continually
Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Belinda, Carlsbad, CA:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:30-31 NIV
Lynn, Lake Villa, IL
Ephesians 2:8 NLT
God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
LaTeisa Crockett Bedford Hts., OH
“He who is slow to anger has great understanding; but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.”
Proverbs 14:29 (KJV)
Lisa Williams Houston, TX
“Everyone should see how unselfish you are. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:5 NAB
Psalm 139:8 “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.”
Psalm 3:4 I call out to the Lord,
and He answers me from His holy mountain.
Stephanie Morris, Norman Ok
“The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:11 NKJ
All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.
John 17:10 NIV
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16 NIV
Janet, Midlothian, Texas
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NIV
Joy – Georgetown, TX “To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:” NIV